Q&A: New Blogger Tips

Hello -

I am brand new to the blog world, just getting started!

I was wondering if you had any tips you would mind sharing for a newbee!

Your site is wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us.

Jennette

Thank you and thanks for writing us, Jennette!

Things are usually a little tough when you're just starting out and nobody really knows you yet -- and sometimes you may even ask yourself why you're writing a blog since it seems nobody is even reading it (we've all been there!). So if you're feeling like the new kid on the block, here's some advice to get you aquainted with this new digital world:

1. Keep writing! Not only will your writing and your posts get better, but (and this sounds counterintuitive, but it's true) the more you write the more topics you'll come up with to write about. Plus, you'll find your "style" and "voice" by writing more.

2. Get out in the community. It's a whole big blogosphere out there, just waiting for you! So get out, seek out new blogs and sites and start following them so you can get to know them better - and of course leave comments so they can do the same for you!

3. Stick to a topic. Find your topic and stick to it, so visitors will know what you're blog is about. So if you're aimed at a personal blog, keep it personal. If your blog is about DIY Home Improvement, stick to it -- don't post about celebrity gossip. Or your cute puppy dog. Or what color your thumb is.

4. Pretty pictures. One of the best ways to dress up your posts and make them more interesting. I like to take my own photos, but you can buy stock photos or even find pretty photos that you can use for free (be careful of copyright laws if you do). If you're going to stick with your own photography skills, scope out some tutorials (we have a basics one here) or follow some photography-based sites/blogs (I follow Digital Photography School for tips and tricks).

5. Unique name and layout to stand out from the crowd. Play with your template, dress up your header with an awesome image, or just have a topic-related photo at the top of your blog. Whatever your style, make sure it reflects your blog and you.

6. Follow How To Be a Better Blogger websites. Ones that I personally follow and that seem to have pretty good advice and tips are Problogger and Remarkablogger. After a couple months of reading them, I've picked up quite a few things that I think have helped me blog better (like the one about writing everyday!).

And that's it for my little list. Anyone else have any other advice for Jennette? Anything you need to do more/better that's on this list? Anything you agree/disagree with? We wish you good luck, Jennette! And let us know if you have any other questions - we'd love to help you out!

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Question and Answer

Carol wrote:

"love the kitchen reno so far!! Very inspiring.
Could you post some of your "favorite" or "most-helpful" online tutorials?? My husband and I both search online for home DIY help, but sometimes it seems like the amount of info out there is intimidating!! Any sites that are tried and true for you would help! Thanks"

 Thanks for your kind words, Carol! We completely understand when you say the amount of info and tutorials out there in cyberspace is intimidating. Often, before we jump into a new project, we find several tutorials online that will flat-out contradict each other on how to do something, which is extremely frustrating and confusing. So yes, we totally understand.

 
That being said, for each project we tackle we usually use steps/information from several different tutorials/sources, depending on the project and our particular situation/need/materials. Typically, a "research session" for us involves Googling the project, reading a few tutorials and watching a few videos (we're pretty visual people, and sometimes it just doesn't "click" unless we can see someone else doing it!). Then, once we're pretty sure we have a decent idea of what we're going to be doing, we head off to Lowe's or Home Depot with our list of supplies and any questions we have about the project we're about to tackle. Most of the employees have been incredibly helpful and knowledgable, and have answered any questions/doubts we've had. Then we head home with our supplies and get to work on our latest and greatest DIY home improvement adventure!
 
Here's a list of some of our favorite resource websites for our DIY home improvement needs:

• Lowe's or Home Depot - They have an extensive collection of tutorials, but our favorite is the free videos, which show you step-by-step how to do any range of home improvement projects. We've used them for a wide range of our projects, from installing new attic insulation to a new storm door.
• Young House Love - They've tackled everything from refinishing furniture to getting dents out of carpet, and offer free tutorials for each one. They make home improvement fun and oh-so-not intimidating. I used their tutorial exclusively to paint our kitchen cabinets, because it was easy, simple and the results turned out great!
• This Old House - They also have a great collection of step-by-step tutorials, with helpful photographs to boot.
• DoItYourself - They too have a good collection of tutorials, with everything from washing machine troubleshooting and repair to crown molding installation.

We hope this gets you going in the right direction on your DIY home improvement quest! Of course this is only the tip of the iceburg, really, as there are so many other great sources and tutorials out there for any sort of home improvement or home repair a homeowner could possibly dream of (or inherit!). Does anyone else have any favorite or helpful DIY home improvement sites to share and help point Carol and her hubby in the right direction? I know there must be quite a few out there that we don't even know exist, and we'd  love to pick up a few tips and tricks from, too!